Thursday, June 17, 2010

White Water Rafting For Beginners

Kicking Horse rafting
By Mark Walters

If you have seen people go white water rafting on TV then you will know what a fun and exciting experience it is. It is something that interests lots of people, but they have not done it for themselves because they think to try it you have to travel to somewhere like the Canadian Rockies or the Himalayas. The chances are though that, wherever you live, you are just a few hours away from somewhere that you can go white water rafting, as a huge mountain range is not necessary for white water rapids to form.

The cost of white water rafting is not prohibitive. For a day of white water rafting, you can expect to have to pay around $75, which includes equipment and instruction. For that price, you will probably get to ride the rapids a few times. You may sometimes see companies offering the experience for a lower price, but those companies should be avoided. If a company is significantly undercutting the competition then they are probably cutting corners somewhere, and with white water rafting that means on either the quality of the equipment or the instruction.

Booking as a large group often gets you a discount rate, and the rafts usually take 6 or 8 people each. Sometimes a longer trip, or a combination of two activities can be even better value for money. Some companies also offer rock climbing and hiking so, if you have made a long journey to get to the area, you might as well make the most of it. All you have to do is turn up wearing clothes and shoes that will not mind a soaking, and a towel. A sturdy inflatable raft, paddles, buoyancy aids (and usually wetsuits too) are provided, and the rafting company meets you at the end to drive you back up to the start.

From beginners to experienced rafters, everyone can enjoy this exhilarating sport by choosing the right level of difficulty for them, from gentle rivers to terrifying torrents. Most people are happy to have the kit provided by a rafting company, but for those who insist on investing in their own equipment, it does not come cheap. Owning your own raft also brings storage and transport problems. You will need a safe place to store it and a trailer to move it around and take it back up river. Also, remember that this is a team sport, so you will need a few mates to take it as seriously as you in order to get the most out of your equipment.

Most white water rafting companies have websites, so it is not difficult for you to make a booking. Check out some websites, read some reviews about them and then make your choice. What are you waiting for?

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